Theatre Safety and Tools

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Why do you think safety is so important in a technical theatre class?

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Theatre Safety

• Safety in the theatre means that crews, casts and audiences are kept
safe from all possible hazards and emergencies.
• Learning to work safely in the theatre is very important.
• Most accidents can be avoided by replacing unsafe habits with safe
practices.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Main Causes of Accidents

• Not knowing what should be done

• Not using tools properly
• Using bad or faulty equipment
• Carelessness
• Taking unnecessary risks
• Being in a hurry

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 The Danger Zone

The most dangerous time of theatre production is the strike – when the
show’s performances are over and its technical elements are dismantled
and stored. This is when the crew is tired but excited, so mistakes are
often made.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 General Safety Regulations

• No running, joking around or any other type of “horseplay” is allowed

• Lift heavy objects properly
• Always leave the shop and other work area clean
• Leave storage areas organized and neat
• Accidents should be reported immediately

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Measuring Tools

• Used to measure dimensions and angles

Tape Measure—used to measure long

distances and layout dimensions on a
stage floor

Speed Square—used as a guide to

mark right angles across narrow
materials

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Hammering Tools

• Used for nailing and starting screws

Claw Hammer—designed for

inserting and removing nails.
Has two sharply curved claws
for nail removal

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Cutting Tools
• Used to cut materials, such as wood, metal and plastic

Hand saw—hand held saw (no power)

used to cut wood

Utility Knife—used to trim or for

light-duty cutting and carving

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 More Cutting Tools
• Used to cut materials, such as wood, metal and plastic

Circular Saw—portable power

saw used to cut wood in a
straight line

Jigsaw—(aka Saber Saw)

portable power saw used for
cutting curved lines in wood

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Clamping Tools
• Designed to firmly hold wood, metal or plastic
Crescent Wrench—adjustable
end to fit almost any size bolt or
nut, most suitable for stage work

C-Clamp—comes in different
sizes, used to hold work or
objects together

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Clamping Tools

• Designed to firmly hold wood, metal or plastic

Pliers—used for gripping, clamping and

bending

Needle-nose Pliers—used for holding

small objects in hard to reach places

Diagonal Cutter—used for cutting soft

wires
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Fastening Tools
• Used to connect or hold objects together with other hardware

Drill—hand held power tool

used for drilling or screwing
together wood or light weight
metals

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 More Fastening Tools
• Used to connect or hold objects together with other hardware

Phillips Screwdriver—used for inserting

and removing screws, has a four-flanged
tip that matches the crossed slots on a
Phillips-head screw

Flat-head Screwdriver—used for

inserting and removing screws, has a
flat tip used that matches slot-head
screws
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 More Fastening Tools
• Used to connect or hold objects together with other hardware

Staple Gun—spring powered hand tool

used for attaching light weight material to
wood with staples

Hot Glue Gun—heats sticks of adhesive

to form a glue bond, used an a variety of
materials
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Safety Tools

• Worn as a safety precaution to protect the body

Goggles—worn to protect the eyes when

using tool, should be worn when cutting
wood and metal

Gloves—worn to protect hands from

wear, burns and blisters

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Safety in Detail

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Theatres Are Dangerous

Theatres are inherently dangerous places. We work with

tools and equipment which if not used properly can cause
severe damage to a person. We work with saws, paints,
chemicals, electricity, explosives, and other items which,
even with proper use, create potentially dangerous
situations. We work on ladders, on catwalks, often at
substantial heights. We move very heavy objects. And we
do all of this in a limited space with frequently many people
around, all of whom could be the victim of a moment of
daydreaming or thoughtlessness.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Think, Think, Think

The most important rule of theatre safety is to always

think about not only what you are doing at the
moment, but to also think about what could happen,
but also what could go wrong.

Look around you as you move objects, or as you

begin to saw or use other, potentially dangerous
items.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Ask for Help
Many of you will be working with tools and equipment
you have never worked with before. It is absolutely
vital you ask for help with anything you are unsure of.
If you don't know how to do something, ask the
teacher.

If you are uncomfortable doing something, please let

the person in charge know. Most accidents happen
when a person is attempting something they really
don't know how to do, or they are so nervous they
don't have a real sense of control over what they are
doing.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Use Safety Guards

All of the power equipment have safety guards.

Although at times the guards seem to be an
annoyance, they are there for a very real purpose--to
protect you and those around you.

Unless directed otherwise by a person in charge,

always leave the guards in place and use them
properly.

Also, be sure to use such aids as a push sticks or

clamps when having to cut very close to the blade.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Use Personal Protection
Be sure to wear personal protection devices when needed.

Wear the breathing protection when working with anything

creating small dust particles or vapors, such as spray
painting.

Wear hearing protection when working with some of the

louder tools, especially the router and the planer.

Wear vision protection when working with any tools

creating flying pieces, which includes most of the tools.
Given the amount of dust in the scene shop, I recommend
you wear eye protection whenever you are working in the
theatre.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Scene Shop Safety
Proper Attire

1. No loose, long or baggy clothing. It can get caught

in moving parts and machinery or snagged on
splinters etc.

2. Wear shoes with good, non slippery soles that cover

the whole foot; no sandals or dress shoes.

3. No gloves while using power tools. (Again, these

can get caught in moving parts of machines.)

4. No shorts or skirts (long pants are best).

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 5. No long or large jewelry. It can get caught on things
and may get ruined.

6. Wear clothes that will protect you from dust, etc.

7. You will get dirty and stained. Bring work clothes.

(There are dressing rooms available.)

8. Long hair must be put up or tied

back and put down your shirt.
A cap is a good way to keep
your hair up also.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Safety Rules
General Safety Rules:

The most obvious safety rule is to be careful. Pay attention to what you are doing and do not rush.
Repetitious jobs are more likely to cause inattention. Try to avoid monotony and boredom.

Being careful means being careful all the time. You can be careful for years and then get hurt in
two seconds of inattention. This is entirely under your own control. Being careful is your best
defense against injury.

Avoid danger by using common sense. Do not hurry and cut corners on safety. Some people take
greater risks because they have a strange notion of invulnerability, or as a show of bravado. This
will gain no respect for you in our shop.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Power Tools:

Each power tool has its own set of safety rules. They are safe when properly
used, but they can cause serious accidents when misused. You will be trained
on each power tool before you use it.

In general, power tools have rotating parts that can wind you in like a fishing
reel if they catch on clothes, hair, or jewelry.

Power tools can throw debris at you, so eye or face protection is necessary.
Ear protection from loud noise is also often necessary.

Make sure the work surface and floors are clear, and get EVERYTHING
ready before you hit the ON switch.

Students may NEVER operate unguarded power tools.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Hands:
Hands are most susceptible to injury.

Watch the cutting edge of any tool, especially the power

tools, and be aware of where your hands are in relation to it.
Pay attention and do not get distracted. There is a
dangerous temptation to hold parts together with one hand
while shooting pneumatic tools with the other. Sometimes
staples and nails turn inside the wood and poke out where
you do not expect them. This would seem elementary, but
the number of bad cuts from matte knives is incredible.
Chisels fall into this category also. The simple rule is to
keep both hands behind the direction in which the sharp
edge is going and never pull a blade towards your body.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 House Keeping
(A Clean Shop Is a Safe Shop)
 
•Clean up your work area at the end of your work
shift.

•Do not leave tools and supplies out unnecessarily.

•Do not let your work area become too cluttered, this
can lead to trip hazards. Clean as you go.

•Flatten nails in used lumber.

                                                           

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 •Do not leave long sticks in trash barrels. They can
poke others in the eyes.

•Do not block fire extinguishers, doors, or marked

tool-safety areas.

•Keep pathways to fire exits and for crossing the

shop clear. It can be dangerous having to carry large
items while walking over lumber and
trash.                                                                       

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Ladders:
Working on ladders and scaffolds presents a potential for a fall. If
you must use a ladder, always have someone there to foot and
hold the bottom for you. Do not stand on the top or any steps the
safety labels indicate. Before you get on a ladder, make sure that
all four legs are firmly on the floor. Remember not to leave tools
and hardware or anything heavy on top of a ladder. This will lead to
the next person who moves the ladder getting hit in the head by a
falling object. When you are working above on a ladder you must
take extra precautions. You need to be aware of overhead scenery
and lighting instruments and the electrical cable. Do not have loose
items in pockets that may fall and whenever possible, tools should
be attached to you. If you can't attach tools, extra precautions must
be made to keep people below aware of you and your work.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Working with the fly system and ropes.
When you are the person responsible for raising and lowering scenery or equipment it is
your responsibility to make sure that people are out of the way, that all hazards are
cleared and that everyone on stage knows that you are about to move something in or
out (down or up) on stage. This should be a loud verbal warning so all can hear you over
all other work going on at the time. This goes for lifting a bucket up to a scaffold to moving
a one-ton wall on a counterweight batten.

During work time (Not during performances), you say the name of what you are bringing
in and the phrase “FLYING IN” and the people on stage need to respond with the phrase
“Thank you, (name of item)” When it is time to fly something out, the process is the same
but you say “FLYING OUT.”

Yes, you must watch the rope you are pulling and the object that it is moving at the same
time.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 Working Above

Whenever you are to work on the grid loading deck or

any other overhead platform, all tools must be secured
so they can't fall.

Loose change and items in your pockets can cause

serious injury if dropped from thirty feet. They should be
removed before you ascend.

You are responsible to make sure the people working

beneath you know you are above them, and whenever
possible they should be cleared from the area.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 If by chance an accident occurs and you do drop something,
you should yell
"HEADS !!!!“

Do this clear and loud so people know where the warning is

coming from and can scatter out of the way of danger. If you
are below and hear "heads" yelled, get out of the way. Do not
let curiosity get the best of you and look up to see what is
falling. This may lead to your face getting up close and
personal with a stage weight and could cause serious injury
or death.

If you need to work above in an area that does not provide

railings and there is a possibility of a fall that could cause
injury, you must wear proper fall protection equipment. You
should also be trained in the correct use of this equipment.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 STAGECRAFT SAFETY
Any construction site has the potential for accidents. Just like any other
construction site, we too have the potential for severe accidents. We work
with power tools, large objects, electricity, and we often work at high
elevations. Thus, safety is a paramount issue. Some basic rules to follow:

1. The first and foremost rule of theatre safety is always

THINK, THINK, THINK!!!
Anticipate what could happen and prepare for potential problems.

2. If you don't know how to use something, or how to do something, stop

and ask the person in charge.

3. If you are uncomfortable using a tool, moving something, cutting

something, or anything, stop and ask for assistance from the person in
charge.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 4. Keep the work area clean of extra tools, supplies, electrical
cords, sawdust, etc., to minimize the dangers of tripping.

5. Avoid wearing loose clothing, loose hair, and long, loose

jewelry when working with any power tools. The tool can grab
the loose item before you even realize it.

6. When working with tools creating sawdust or other small

particles make sure and wear eye protection.

7. When working with tools on which there are safety guards,

keep the safety guards in place--do not remove them or
interfere with their performance.

8. When working with loud tools make sure and wear ear
protection.
Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future
 9. When using tools or moving objects, always be aware of
who and what is around you.

10. If you are moving heavier objects, be sure to lift properly

and/or ask for assistance.

11. No horseplay with tools, around tools, or around others

using tools.

12. Use the tool appropriate for the given job, and use it
properly.

13. Report any accidents, even minor ones, to the person in

charge.

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia’s Future